Pros and Cons of In-House Versus Third-Party Confined Space Rescue Teams

Introduction

When it comes to ensuring safety in confined spaces, choosing the right rescue team is crucial. Organizations can opt for an in-house "Confined Space Rescue Team" or contract external "Confined Space Rescue Services." Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, and understanding these can help in making an informed decision.

Pros of an In-House Confined Space Rescue Team

1. Familiarity with the Site: An in-house team will be more familiar with the specific hazards and layout of your facilities, potentially allowing for a faster and more efficient response.

2. Cost-Effective in the Long Term: While initial training and equipment costs can be high, maintaining an in-house team can be more cost-effective over time, especially for companies that frequently work in confined spaces.

3. Integrated Team Dynamics: An in-house team is integrated within the company, allowing for better communication and coordination with other safety protocols and operations.

Cons of an In-House Confined Space Rescue Team

1. High Initial Investment: Setting up an in-house team requires significant investment in training and equipment.

2. Continuous Training Requirements: In-house teams require ongoing training to maintain skills, which can be resource-intensive.

3. Limited Experience: Unless regularly exposed to actual rescue operations, in-house teams might lack the breadth of experience that professional rescuers have, which could affect their effectiveness in varied situations.

Pros of Third-Party Confined Space Rescue Services

1. Highly Specialized Skills: Third-party services often employ professionals who are experts in confined space rescues, ensuring skilled response to emergencies.

2. Reduced Liability and Responsibility: Outsourcing rescue operations can reduce an organization’s liability and the burden of maintaining a rescue team, including training and equipment.

3. Operational Flexibility: Hiring third-party teams allows businesses to adapt quickly to varying levels of need without the ongoing costs of maintaining an in-house team.

Cons of Third-Party Confined Space Rescue Services

1. Cost Variability: While outsourcing can save on fixed costs, the variable costs can be high depending on the frequency and nature of the rescues.

2. Less Familiarity with the Site: External teams might not be as familiar with your specific site as an in-house team, which could affect the efficiency of the response.

OSHA Training Requirements for Rescue Teams

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates specific training for confined space rescue teams to ensure they are competent to perform the necessary duties safely and effectively. Here are the key training requirements as outlined by OSHA:

1. Rescue Team Evaluation: OSHA requires employers to evaluate a prospective rescue team's ability, in terms of personnel, training, and equipment, to respond to confined space emergencies.

2. Training in Rescue Techniques: Teams must be trained in the appropriate techniques and equipment for different types of confined space scenarios.

3. First-Aid and CPR Certification: All rescue team members must be certified in first aid and CPR by a recognized organization.

4. Practice Drills: OSHA stipulates that rescue teams must conduct practice drills at least once every 12 months. These drills should be realistic and simulate the types of confined space emergencies that could occur at the site.

5. Retraining: Retraining must be provided if an assessment of a rescue operation indicates that the rescue team lacks the proficiency required for safe and effective performance.

Conclusion

Choosing between an in-house "Confined Space Rescue Team" and external "Confined Space Rescue Services" depends on several factors, including the frequency of confined space entry, budget constraints, and available expertise. By weighing these pros and cons and ensuring compliance with OSHA’s rigorous training standards, organizations can better protect workers in confined spaces.

At Safety Services Management, we can assist with rescue services and training throughout the nation. Click the link below to receive a quote and ensure your team is prepared for any situation.

Confined Space | Take care of your employees

What is a Confined Space? 

According to OSHA, a Confined space means a space that: (1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; (2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and (3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.  

There are also Permit-required confined space (permit space) which is a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: (1) Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; (2) Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant; (3) Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or (4) Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard. 

Many workplaces contain areas that are considered "confined spaces" because while they are not necessarily designed for people, they are large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs.  

Graphic courtesy of EHS Daily Advisor

Accidents in the workplace 

Over the past months, there have been many accidents related to confined spaces. It is saddening that most of these resulted in workers’ death. A look back into some of the circumstances will hopefully avoid these tragic deaths. 

In March, a worker in Colorado Springs almost lost his life while performing routine maintenance work. The employee was inside a cement mixer when their coworker turned the machine on. The worker was able to escape before suffering serious, if not deadly, injuries. 

The U.S. Department of Labor says Springs-based company Lindsay Precast Inc. “willfully” exposed that employee to what could have been a fatal situation. 

“A U.S. Department of Labor investigation determined the company’s failure to comply with federal workplace safety standards nearly cost the worker their life.” (Lindsey Grewe and Aaron Vitatoe, August 29, 2022, KKTV, Colorado Springs-based company found responsible for near-fatal incident involving cement mixer) 

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2 Workers Die Inside of a Manhole - August 20th, 2022

A tragic incident last August where the bodies of two workers have been recovered after they were found dead Friday evening in a manhole at a residential job site.  

The city of Edwardsville said in a press release that officers were called to the 100 block of East Union Street shortly before 7 p.m. and found the two men. It's believed the workers had entered the manhole sometime in the late afternoon. 

Fire Chief James Whiteford said the atmosphere where the men were found had very little oxygen and a buildup of toxic gasses, which is common in confined underground spaces.  

The men were unresponsive and first responders attempted to rescue them, but once they were confirmed dead, it transitioned to a recovery effort. (Kelsi Anderson August 20, 2022, 5 ON YOUR SIDE, Bodies recovered after 2 workers die in Edwardsville manhole) 

Another tragic incident in Illinois last September involved a 48-year-old employee who died from chemical injuries sustained while inspecting a tanker trailer. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a fine to the Illinois truck and trailer repair company B & R Repair of Lemont.   

It was fined $326,306 for exposing workers to confined space hazards following an OSHS investigation, the agency said on September 8. 

According to OSHA, the worker entered the tanker “as part of an annual U.S. Department of Transportation requirement and was overcome from exposure to bleach and chlorine gas. The worker was found unconscious in the tanker trailer, he later died of his injuries.” 

Investigators cited B & R Repair for two willful and ten serious violations. (Ashley, September 8, 2022, CDL Life News, Illinois truck repair company fined $326K for death of worker in tanker) 

These tragic events would have been avoided if the employers followed OSHA Confined Space guidelines. The employers would not have faced citations and fines, and most importantly these workers would have been able to come home to their families. 

Employers are required by the United States Department of Labor to strictly follow OSHA guidelines on “confined space” jobs. Violations are not treated lightly because the life of workers are on the line. Employers should take all precautionary measures for their employees to ensure their safety at all times. 

Atmospheric Hazards within a Confined Space

Atmospheric hazards within a confined space are the leading cause of entrant fatalities. As we know, workers working inside of a confined space will often experience restrictions in movement, have only one way in and out, and working in an environment that isn’t meant for continuous occupancy.

Let’s review the deadly killer, atmospheric hazards which are often odorless gasses that can sneak up on an entrant without them knowing it.

PRESS RELEASE - Cal/OSHA Cites Four Employers $1.75 Million for Safety Violations in Death of Worker at Valero Refinery

An incident last November 2021 caused the life of a 35-year-old worker. The worker lost consciousness after descending into a regenerator overflow well at the Benicia refinery to evaluate the condition of the well interior and perform cleaning operations in advance of a welding crew. 

He was discovered within the regenerator, equipped with fall protection, and retrieved by a refinery emergency rescue crew. He received on-site medical attention from the Benicia Fire Department and the Valero Refinery Fire Department, but they were unable to revive him. 

The culprit is the odorless gas argon, which was leaking from a welding torch left in the well and replaced the oxygen inside the space.

Argon in an open atmosphere is not extremely dangerous as its placard rating for Health is 1, Flammability is 0, and Reactivity is 0. When used within a confined space, everything changes as it will replace the oxygen which can drop to deadly levels as we see from the above example.

Common Toxic Gases 

Toxic gases can be created by items that are purposefully utilized or stored in confined spaces, by natural processes, mistakenly introduced into the space, or, in the case of sewers and big, linked systems, make their way into the area being worked on. 

In a confined space this may include harmful materials due to the type of manufacturing method used, the biological and chemical "breakdown" of the product being stored in a tank, maintenance activities (such as welding) carried out in the confined area, and other factors. 

Common types of toxic gases encountered in confined spaces are: 

Hydrogen Sulfide - "Sewer gas" is a colorless gas with a rotten egg smell. Numerous fatalities in restricted spaces have been connected to excessive exposure. Because hydrogen sulfide impairs our ability to smell, some people may believe that the gas has left the area. Asphyxiation is brought on by hydrogen sulfide, which prevents the exchange of oxygen at the cellular level. 

Carbon monoxide - is produced when carbon-based fuels are burned, and it has no scent or color (gas, wood). The body's ability to distribute oxygen to every region of the body is hindered by carbon monoxide. 

Solvents - many solvents, including kerosene, gasoline, paint removers, degreasers, etc., are not only flammable but can also have negative effects on the central nervous system (CNS) if inhaled in high quantities. Dizziness, drowsiness, lack of focus, disorientation, headaches, coma, and death are examples of CNS effects. 

Many workplaces have hazards related to confined spaces. Employers are required to recognize and label confined spaces, create and maintain emergency response plans for the workplace, and train employees and supervisors. 

How to Protect Entrants

The solution is for the most part simple but often not followed or not followed correctly. That solution is to test the atmosphere before and during entry. If you or your crew do not know how to properly test a space or use the atmospheric monitor that is provided to you then learn it! Learn how to test the different stratospheres.